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Fantastic Fest XVIII: Hindi Action Thriller KILL Announced For This Year’s Feature Line-Up

Fantastic Fest kicks off in a matter of weeks on September 21. In the meantime, the organization announced on Wednesday its newest addition to their feature line-up this year with Kill, the new Hindi action thriller from writer and director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat. The film is led by celebrated TV actor Lakshya, who stood out for Best Actor at the Lions Gold Awards for 2018 series, “Porus”. In Kill, the actor plays Amrit, an Army commando who must help fend off fourty armed bandits who’ve stormed a train to New Delhi and save the lives of all the passengers on board, including the woman he loves, Tulika (Tanya Maniktala), ahead of an arranged marriage already set in stone by her father. Also starring are Raghav Juyal and Rupesh Kumar Charanpahari. The film features action sequences by Oh Se-yeong whose career spans multiple regions covering Hollywood (Avengers: Age Of Ultron), and […]

Shinya Tsukamoto’s SHADOW OF FIRE: The Residual Ruin Of Wartorn Lives Explored In The First Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Formerly-titled “The Post-War Project,” is writer/director Shinya Tsukamoto’s next offering, with a teaser now online for roaring period drama, Shadow Of Fire (or Hokage). Featuring actress Shuri, the film centers on the lives of three people in a dilapidated pub left standing amid the black market-driven ruins of World War II: A woman who sells her body to make a living, a war orphan, and a demobilised soldier suffering from PTSD. Shuri, whose lead role in Kosai Sekine’s Love At Least (2018) won her Newcomer of the Year at the 42nd Japan Academy Awards, is joined by burgeoning talent Oga Tsukao, actor Hiroki Kono who previously appears in delinquent thriller Demekin (2017) and Shin’ichirô Ueda’s Special Actors (2019), and Mirai Moriyama whose credits partly include two-part boxing drama Underdog (2020), and Shin Kamen Rider (2023). “It’s about a fire and the everchanging shadows it casts on its surroundings,” said Tsukamoto, […]

GOLDEN KAMUY Official Teaser Signals ‘High & Low’ Director’s Latest With Kento Yamazaki In 2024!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Shigeaki Kubo of HiGH&LOW franchise fame is a name I, and others among my mutuals have come to love and appreciate over the last eight years or so. His latest return to the big screen comes by way of Toho nowadays as fans of actor Kento Yamazaki can now look toward January 19 for the Japan release of the new survival action thriller, Golden Kamuy. Hailing from Credeus, Inc., the production label behind the Yamazaki-led Kingdom trilogy from director Shinsuke Sato, Golden Kamuy is based on Satoru Noda’s award-winning Seinen manga out of Weekly Young Jump which ran from 2014 to last year. The story, set in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War, sees Yamazaki in the role of Sugimoto, a celebrated Imperial war hero who, along with an indigenous Ainu hunter named Asirpa, finds himself at the center of a mystery involving a band of prison escapees beholden […]

ON FIRE Turns Up The Heat In The Official Trailer For The Inspirational New Survival Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Following a reveal of stills for the new upcoming disaster thriller, On Fire, the official trailer is now online from Cineverse ahead of its theatrical release on September 29. On Fire stars Peter Facinelli who co-directed the pic with Nick Lyon, from a script by Lyon and co-writer Ron Peer. On Fire tells the story of an ordinary man thrown into extraordinary circumstances. Dave Laughlin (Facinelli) is a humble man who has spent his life working to be a great husband, father, and son. Living in a remote area of Northern California, he finds his world suddenly and violently torn apart as devastating wildfires rip through the surrounding area. With precious moments ticking by, Laughlin must flee with his son (Angel) and pregnant wife (Dourif) if they have any hope of surviving the rapid forces of mother nature. The film – also starring Fiona Dourif, Asher Angel, Lance Henriksen, Glenn […]

THE BOOK OF CLARENCE First Teaser Trailer Turns The Page To Hilarious Epic Satire

Lee B. Golden III

The Harder They Fall is still a fun watch a few years later since its Netflix launch. This year, director Jeymes Samuel gets the party re-started with an inspired re-envisioning rib-jab of a Biblical tale in The Book Of Clarence, coming in 2024. From visionary filmmaker Jeymes Samuel, The Book of Clarence is a bold new take on the timeless Biblical-era epic. Streetwise but down-on-his-luck, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is struggling to find a better life for his family, while fighting to free himself of debt. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, and ultimately discovers that the redemptive power of belief may be his only way out. The film features new music by Jeymes Samuel, JAY-Z, and more. Feel free to chalk this one up next to your favorite religious satire from […]

THE KILLER: Michael Fassbender Is A Man With A Plan In The Crackling First Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

David Fincher’s newest effort now arrives with an official trailer for The Killer. Michael Fassbender stars in the film adapted from Alexis “Matz” Nolent and artist Luc Jacamon’s 1998 graphic novel with a script by Se7en scribe Andrew Kevin Walker. After a fateful near-miss an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal. Fassbender is joined by Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, Kerry O’Malley, Sophie Charlotte, Sala Baker, Emiliano Pernía, and Gabriel Polanco. The first poster was released on Monday, also signaling its pending theatrical run this October (TBA), and launching on Netflix on November 10. The Killer is currently programmed to premiere at the 80th edition of La Biennale di Venezia on September 3.

ROBODOC: THE CREATION OF ROBOCOP Docuseries Now Available On U.S. VOD And Streaming

Lee B. Golden III

RoboDoc: The Creation Of RoboCop is now playing on VOD and streaming, with the first of its four-part retrospective docuseries available through Cinedigm’s Screambox platform. All four parts will be released weekly through September 19, with an official Blu-Ray release slated for October 17. A UK release remains in the works. Directed by Christopher Griffiths and Eastwood Allen, RoboDoc: The Creation Of RoboCop is a crowdfunded project that launched nearly seven years ago, aimed at covering the phenomenon that began with the R-rated 1987 sci-fi action thriller. The extensive documentary is billed as “an immersive 4+ hour journey into the making of the seminal sci-fi movie” that will include over 60 cast and crew interviews, including the original star of the inaugural film and Irvin Kershner’s 1990 follow-up, Dr. Peter Weller. Also starring Nancy Allen, Kurtwood Smith and Ronny Cox, RoboCop launched a box-office hit spawning a multi-media franchise including […]

THE BAKER Readies A Batch Of Violent Retribution On VOD This Month!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Jonathan Sobol’s new crime thriller, The Baker, is coming to VOD on August 29 from Vertical Entertainment. The film stars Ron Perlman of Hellboy and FX series “Sons Of Anarchy” fame, from a script by Thomas Michael and Paolo Mancini. “The Baker” centers on a quiet, solitary man whose estranged son suddenly returns to his life with a granddaughter he never knew existed. When his son disappears on a shady business opportunity, the baker must do everything he can to find his son and protect his granddaughter from the mob hitmen sent to find her. The non-stop action that ensues and truly endearing relationship between the baker and his granddaughter is sure to thrill audiences. Also starring are Elias Koteas (‘Chicago P.D.,’ ‘Shooter,’ ‘The Thin Red Line’), Joel David Moore (‘Avatar series,’ ‘Dodgeball’), and Harvey Keitel (‘Pulp Fiction,’ ‘The Irishman,’ ‘Reservoir Dogs’). The film is produced by Nicholas Tabarrok, […]

THE VIGILANTE: Jet Jandreau Wages War To Save Her Sister In The Official Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Stunt professional Lee Whittaker’s feature directing debut previously known as Aimee now arrives as a Tubi Original with the announcement of rescue action thriller, The Vigilante. Set to stream on the free and ad-supported platform beginning September 8, the film stars Jet Jandreau along with Jamie M. Timmons, Paul Bond, Julien Cesario and Laur Allen. When a Marine returns home from deployment overseas, she goes to war against human traffickers who have kidnapped her 13-year-old sister. Check out the trailer below and click here for my review, and here for my previous interview with the director on the project.

Streaming Sleepers: Roman Perfilyev’s ONCE UPON A TIME IN UKRAINE, Historical Reverence Wrapped In Thrilling Vengeance And Energy

Lee B. Golden III

Writer/director Roman Perfilyev’s second film took a while to get to our side of the globe but folks looking to check out his sophomore feature can now do so in Once Upon A Time In Ukraine. Samuel Goldwyn Films gave a theatrical and VOD release back in April. Featuring actors Roman Lutskyi and Sergey Strelnikov, the story is set in 1844 Ukraine where a serf named Taras, an aspiring poet and storyteller, finds himself captive and separated from his beloved Maria (Kateryna Slyusar) by an evil lord (Andrey Malinovich) who trafficks women to foreigners. Upon a chance escape, he befriends Akayo, a half-Ukranian Japanese ronin who previously wandered past the border following a scrimmage with a squad of lethal ninja assassins. As the story progresses, the two find a common goal in their respective quests, with Akayo taking on Taras as his apprentice to train him for the deadly battles […]

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Timo Tjahjanto Clarifies Post With THE NIGHT COMES FOR US Star Joe Taslim: ‘We’re Looking For Another Feature To Collaborate On’

Lee B. Golden III

Filmmaker Timo Tjahjanto took to X on Saturday to confirm plans to collaborate once again with actor, Joe Taslim. The post came a day following Tjahjanto, applying his usual ambiguity, posted a photo of himself with the actor on the same platform with a caption that read, “Chapter 2.”. The vague text led many to believe or hope that the initial post meant the possible development of a sequel to the hit Netflix thriller, The Night Comes For Us. Tjahjanto updated the post in a new quote-post, stating “We’re just looking for another feature to collaborate on, Chapter 2 in Taslim x Tjahjanto shenanigan,” The director added, “I love this kid, he’s a huge part of why I’m still working today, hooked me up with the right people when I was rock bottom & trusted me to keep on pushing with The Night.” The action packed thriller released in 2018 […]

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THE LAST BUTTERFLIES Review: Patrick Rea Helms A Brutal Snapshot Of Humanity At The World’s End

Lee B. Golden III

It was a few years ago that I first learned of actress Whitney Wegman-Wood. I’m pretty glad that I kept up with her this entire time, as often as I like to try and help spotlight up-and-comers in entertainment, and it helps that she’s a strong, competent and talented actress capable of carrying intense and complex characters and stories. Going on to make her case in Patrick Rea’s crowdfunded short, The Last Butterflies, the impact is as real as it is intentional, and all the more compelling. At the time, it was Wegman-Wood who stepped up and led the charge to campaign the project on Indiegogo. In her campaign video, she talks about the series of anxiety dreams she kept having around the end of 2019, and how it resulted in severe insomnia to the point where she up and decided one evening to turn her suffering into a creative […]

DR. CHEON AND THE LOST TALISMAN Trailer Sees Gang Dong-Won Battling The Supernatural!

Lee B. Golden III

Magic and mystery are back on the table for leading man Gang Dong-won long since his Woo-chi heyday, and with none other than directing debutant Kim Sung-sik in the chair for CJ ENM’s latest Fall prospect, Dr. Cheon And Lost Talisman. Opening in September in South Korea, Gang stars in the titular role – a psychiatrist and con-man who travels around the country with his assistant to perform fake exorcisms. The pair eventually find themselves way in over their heads when they are sought out by a new client looking to help free her possessed siblings, putting them squarely in the crosshairs of an actual superhuman being. Also starring are Huh Joon-ho, Esom, Lee Dong-hwi and Kim Jong-soo. Check out the trailer!

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SNIPER: G.R.I.T Fires Away With Fall Digital And Disc Releases From Sony!

Lee B. Golden III

I’m actually a little lost on what to make of the fact that more than thirty years later, Sniper (1993) continues to find its footing. Spawning as many as eight sequels with Chad Michael Collins taking the mantle from the original’s Tom Berenger, the franchise has now etched in a tenth to this day with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. When an international terrorist cult threatens global political stability and kidnaps a fellow agent, Ace Sniper Brandon Beckett (Chad Michael Collins) and the newly-formed Global Response & Intelligence Team – or G.R.I.T. – led by Colonel Stone (Dennis Haysbert) must travel across the world to Malta, infiltrate the cult, and take out its leader to free Lady Death (Luna Fujimoto) and stop the global threat. Ryan Robbins and Josh Brener also star in this globetrotting entry to the Sniper franchise. Sniper: G.R.I.T. is directed by Oliver Thompson and opens on on […]

New Red-Band EXPEND4BLES Trailer Promises They Heard The Fans!

Lee B. Golden III

Without question, the biggest stinger right out of the release of The Expendables 3 nearly a decade ago was its departure from an audience that loves its R-rated action and gore. Director Scott Waugh is here to pick up the slack nowadays having just landed on radar this summer through Netflix with Chan/Cena thriller Hidden Strike, just in time to help fans of the franchise get their action fix with a promisingly R-rated delivery of Expend4bles beginning September 22. Blood and guts and all the trimmings, etc. This film is selling itself for sure, shoddy green-screen be damned. What matters is my fellow forty-somethings and older get to feel like kids again. Crazy shit, eh? Peep the trailer below and character posters just beneath!

BEATEN TO DEATH Wails On You With A NSFW Trailer Fitting Of Its Title

Lee B. Golden III

If you’re a director in need of a title convincing enough to sell to audiences, Sam Curtain’s newest and controversial horror thriller should be a keen reminder how simplicity can go a long way. Such is the case for Beaten To Death, now out with a short slew of promo images and a trailer guaranteeing nothing short of what the title insinuates, extreme violence and all. BEATEN TO DEATH unfolds after a desperate choice leads a man named Jack down a path that leaves him beaten and bruised as he struggles against man, nature, and his own insanity. Stranded in the middle of nowhere after barely surviving a horrific assault, Jack encounters one local after another and quickly learns that a sick game of cat and mouse is about to begin. Battling the deranged country psychos and the harsh landscape, Jack must go to extreme lengths to survive. The film […]

VIKTORIA MUST DIE: Norwegian Family Crime Comedy Announces 2024 Release, LevelK Takes World Sales

Lee B. Golden III

The latest look at Norwegian family crime comedy Viktoria Must Die comes by way of Screendaily’s Wendy Mitchell, reporting LevelK for international sales ahead of a 2024 release. Hailing from På film AS, the film is produced by Ole Marius Elvestad, and is directed by Gunnbjörg Gunnarsdottir in her second solo outing. Two young and wealthy siblings, Hedvig and Henrik, decide to hire a hitman to get rid of their annoying stepmother, Viktoria. To solve their problem, the children approach Carl, an immigrant from Bosnia. He refuses to help them, because he is a law-abiding citizen. That is until he finds himself and his family in a difficult financial situation. Currently in post-production, Viktoria Must Die also stars Ine Marie Wilmann, Leo Ajkic, Morten Svartveit, and Agnete Haaland. Gunnarsdottir also penned the script with Rolf-Magne Golten Andersen. LevelK also financed the pic along with Scandinavian Film Distribution, Mediefondet Zefyr, and […]

NO MORE BETS Trailer: Niu Vision Announces International Releases Of Shen Ao’s New Ripped-From-The-Headlines Crime Drama

Lee B. Golden III

Niu Vision Media is signaling Asian film fans outside of China with its acquisition of Shen Ao’s newest crime drama, No More Bets. The film, which opened three weeks ago in China, rolls out in theaters this Friday in Canada, followed by releases in Australia and New Zealand on August 31, the United States on September 1 and in Malaysia from September 7. The film is based on tens of thousands of real fraud cases, and the horrifying inside story of the entire industry chain of overseas cyber fraud. Programmer Pan Sheng and model Anna were attracted by an overseas recruitment ad and went abroad to seek wealth, but they were scammed and ended up working in a factory. In order to leave, the two are going to attack the gambler Ah Tian and his girlfriend Xiao Yu, take their money, and complete their business… Can Pan Sheng and Anna […]

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THE MOON Review: Kim Yong-Hwa’s Latest Rocky Interstellar Journey Lands With Adequate Ease

Lee B. Golden III

The Moon is now available from Well Go USA. Director Kim Yong-hwa’s ability to tell big and epic stories remains as spectacular and thrilling as you can expect with his latest sci-fi thriller, The Moon. I will say that just a little bit of the writing fumbles early in the first half but picks almost lithely back up with moments of pure suspense and upheaval at a healthy pace enough to warrant recommending. At the heart of the story is a redemption tale that centers on Jae-kook (Sol Kyung-gu), who runs a remote astronomics observatory far and away from his heyday as the promising director of operations surrounding South Korea’s ambitious efforts to put one of its own on the moon. That effort occurred five years ago and it ended in a tragedy that’s since carried over to the present day when the son of the former team’s departed, Sun-woo […]

ECHO 8: Maria Tran’s Asian-Aussie Indie Hit Lands A New Trailer Ahead Of West Coast U.S. Premiere!

Lee B. Golden III

The ceremony is no laughing matter when it comes to Australian psych-action thriller sci-fi, Echo 8. Heralded as a beacon of success for indie film locals in the region as a low budget sensation, the film has been tracking more than well at festivals with ample reception, and I’ve happily contributed as much through my platform. The US $8,000-produced feature debut from film duo Maria Tran and Takashi Hara, and screenwriter Elizabeth H. Vu, now makes headway at this weekend’s freshman Big Bad Film Fest action film festival. Further anchoring the festivities is a brand new trailer for the film which you can view below. An assassin flashes between a nightmarish dream and her reality at a secret underground organization. When her latest mission involves killing a grieving mother, she discovers her target is closer to home than she realizes-much closer. Echo 8 stars Tran who makes her feature-directing debut, […]